People often ask me what the secret is to blogging almost every day. Today I’ll share one of my “secrets” with you.
Yesterday’s blog post took me almost an hour to write. But many of my blog posts take 15 minutes or less! And that’s how I manage to blog so frequently–I mix in these super quick blog post tactics.
YOU can do it, too!
Wondering how?
Let’s start with a couple of questions.
What is your goal in blogging? What do you want to help your readers with?
You can help them by being a conduit of information–not all the information you share has to come directly from your brain.
So for those days when you need a faster blog post I want you to think differently. Think about who or what you can share with your readers to help them that already exists and doesn’t require you to create/write it.
Share a Video
Go to youtube.com or ted.com and find a video you like then share it with a few of your thoughts.
Share an Article
Go to ezinearticles.com and search for a topic your visitors would like, find a good article and share it with a few of your own tips or extra ideas.
Here’s a step by step with screenshots of how to do it: speedy fast blog posts.
Share a Person
Pick a blogger friend to interview, type up 5 or so quick questions and zip them an email then publish it when they get back to you.
I’m using that strategy to create regular content at Successful Work at Home Women. Just click the “Get Featured!” link and you can see what questions I’m using.
Share an Image
Find a cool infographic or a funny picture and share it with your thoughts.
Share a Blog or Two
Pick a few blogs you’ve been enjoying reading and share links to those with a little summary of what they’re about or who they are and why you enjoy reading them.
Share a Resource or Tool
What resources have you found helpful lately in your business? Are there computer programs, websites, apps, or other tools you use that your readers might find helpful, too? Have you opted-in to an ezine or list that gave you an awesome free gift? Any of these are great things to share with your readers.
The Secret
But here’s the real secret to using any of these strategies to post in 15 minutes. Choose fast. Don’t over think. Don’t let yourself get stuck. Set a timer and be determined that you will be done quickly.
Image Credit: get4net/StockFresh
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These are great tips Michelle. The best part is that they’re all about sharing! A win-win combo anytime.
Hey Tea! I agree, there are so many fabulous resources out there–sharing them is good for everyone.
Another great post Michelle.
I think this tendency to do it from one’s own knowledge is this mindset of “I can do it all by myself” which sometimes paralyses progress.
Strangely enough, I was just thinking of using a particular video tomorrow to write my blog and I see you have a blog post on using other means to blog, how timely.
You’re awesome Michelle, thank you for being you!
So true, Marjorie. That stubborn independence can be a mixed blessing. :)
By the moment i am trying to produce blogpost in advance.
my most time consuming work is: to create the graphics i need.
and i am so stubborn, i want to do them all on my own – just to make sure they are the way i want them.
but i will keep it in mind.
Creating graphics can be very time consuming! But yours are very nicely done, Helen.
Yeah. I just decided on a post and found the video, wrote the post, embedded the video, and published in 8 minutes and tweeted and facebook posted in another 3 minutes – hooray. I’m inspired. Hopefully I can keep it up. Thanks for the idea and the inspiration as always!
Way to go, Tawnee! :)
These are some great ideas. I just recently started doing a Photo Friday post where I share one of my pictures each week. It’s a great way to boost my post output without having to put a significant amount of extra time in each week.
Smart! And it gives your readers something neat to look forward too, as well. :)
Michelle,
I like your post here. We can over think a blog post. We don’t have to share everything in one posting. Most people don’t remember a list of “A hundred ways to do……” Share 5 or 3 and get it done with then you can share the other points in different posting. I had been thinking about doing a list of great bloggers that really add value. I think this will be my first year doing and I will do it every year.
Thanks for all the great ideas.
Mike Cleveland
That’s a good point, Mike. Even if we *can* share 100 things in one post, most of our readers would be completely overwhelmed and not able to implement as much as if we just share a few they can take immediate action on.
I’m glad to see you telling people to get it done and not over think. I’ve written a lot of ‘to order’ articles on those sites that pay a few dollars for them. Some days I start out thinking about the topics and don’t get much done. Others I just start typing and it works out better.
Being bold enough to take action is key. “Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” — Goethe
Thanks, Michelle, for another handy post! Well, I’m sure there are hundreds of self-proclaimed experts offering advice about social media. I haven’t checked them ALL, but I keep returning your messages for very down-to-earth, easy-to-use tips and recommendations. Always potent suggestions for simplifying life and being more effective, and I look forward to your next post.
Thanks so much, Robbie, I appreciate that.
Just great! I am already using the share a video and share an image strategies, and this saves me lots of time. Still have a lot of working to do with not over-thinking and not over-editing posts before publishing. I should use a timer, thanks for the idea.
The timer’s a great visual/audio reminder for me. :)
These are great tips, Michelle. This post by itself is a good demonstration of how to write a post that offers some value and at the same time is quick to complete.
I’ll be using some of these tips soon! Thanks!
Yep, this one didn’t take too long to write. I’ve found that writing in lists makes it much easier for me to write–and for my readers to get value from. :)
Wonderful tips Michelle, My challenge is getting my posts finished in a timely fashion. If I told you how long it takes me to finish a post, you would fall on the floor and I don’t want your family to be mad at me, so I won’t :-)These tips will help me to complete some of my posts quickly.
Nah, I’d believe you. It used to take me 2-3 hours… or longer… sometimes it still takes more than an hour depending on what I’m writing. I’ve got one post saved as a draft right now that I’ve probably spent at least 2 hours on, but it’s a major post. ;)
Throw in a few of these ideas to mix it up and it makes a nice balance. :)
Thanks Michelle! These are great tips . One of the reasons I lose my motivation for posting is that I normally take several hours to put a post together. I just don’t have enough time in a week to do that more than once. Thanks for getting me out of my blogging box!
I totally understand. Getting out the box is the only way I’m able to keep mine up. I couldn’t do it without being flexible with myself.
The great advantage to your approach is it makes it easier to post often. You don’t have to wait a week between posts if it’s not going to be an hour’s chore.
Right! The key is just focusing on delivering value to our readers and it’s okay to use little shortcuts to do that. :)
It’s really hard to write a blog post especially if you’re running out of topic. Thanks for the tips Michelle. I’ll take note of that. Indeed! If you’re a determined person there’s no reason for you not to finish the race.
You’re welcome, Julie. Thanks for commenting!
I can’t wait to write a 15 min blog post. I spend way to long on my blog posts so I’ll be sure to take your advice on-board, set the timer and see it done!
Great advice as always Michelle.
Thanks,
Lynn Baillie
A timer is an awesome tool. :) Here’s some *~* speedy posting *~* vibes, Lynn!
still valid, Michelle! Thanks so much!
hanks for this great post. Last week i got the idea and started sharing “belly shots” & a lil info of how.im doing, as im 15 wks preg. i plan on doing this every monday! I am also usinag a lot of my own photos in my more personal posts. ive found i enjoy bloggin morebpersonally rather than stickin to a certain group…like coupons or crafts.
cant wait to start the july2013 challenge tomorrow!!!
Great suggestions… Thanks!!!
Thanks YOU! Great info for a beginner blogger…my question…what things do I need to have permission to re-post?
Michelle, I really like this post. You give the list of this to do with examples of each one. I learn and retain more when the posts are like this. Thank you. You are awesome!